Could It Be Magic
Encyclopedia
"Could It Be Magic" is a song by Adrienne Anderson
and Barry Manilow
. It was included on Manilow's 1973 debut album, Barry Manilow.
Due to its popularity, it was released as a single in 1975, two years after it had originally been recorded, where it reached #6 in the United States
.
Manilow's recording begins and ends with an excerpt of Frédéric Chopin
's Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28, Number 20. The whole song is based on the harmonic scheme of Chopin's prelude. The "sweet Melissa" is a nod to singer Melissa Manchester
.
The song has been covered by a number of other artists over the years, most successfully by Donna Summer
in 1976 and UK boy band
Take That
in the early 1990s. Manilow himself re-recorded an up-tempo version of the song in 1993, using the original orchestration of brass and strings combined with new drums, bass and synthesizers, and included it on the album Greatest Hits: The Platinum Collection. An extended remix of the 1993 version was issued as a promotional 12" single.
recorded a disco version of the track and included it on her second international album, Love Trilogy
, and took it to number three on the US Dance chart in 1976. The song also entered the UK single chart where it stayed for seven weeks (peak point #40)
U.K. 7" single (GTO GT 60)
Germany 7" single (Atlantic ATL 10 775)
Netherlands 7" single (Groovy GR 1219)
France 7" single (Atlantic 10.770)
Italy 7" single (Durium DE 2873)
ed by The Rapino Brothers
, UK boyband Take That
released their cover version, based on Donna Summer/Giorgio Moroder
's up-tempo arrangement of the track, on November 30, 1992 as the final single
from their debut album Take That & Party
. The song does not appear on the cassette
version of the album. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart
.
The song won Best British Single at the 1993 Brit Awards
.
During The Ultimate Tour in 2006, former member Robbie Williams
appeared on a hologram with a pre-recorded section of his vocals.Gary Barlow
sings lead vocals since Take That's reformation.
The song has received a Silver sales status certification and sold over 325,000 copies sold in the UK.
UK 7" Vinyl (74321 12313 7)
UK Cassette (74321 12313 4)
UK CD Single (74321 12313 2)
EU CD Single (74321 12735 2)
Japanese CD Single (TAKE8)
. The B-side, "This Is A Dream" is a high upbeat dance music with the lyrics "This Is A Dream" will appear every so often in the song.
Adrienne Anderson
Adrienne Anderson is an American songwriter, most notable for being the co-writer of "Could It Be Magic", among other Barry Manilow songs, as well as being the co-writer of signature songs for Dionne Warwick and Peter Allen ....
and Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow
Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
. It was included on Manilow's 1973 debut album, Barry Manilow.
Due to its popularity, it was released as a single in 1975, two years after it had originally been recorded, where it reached #6 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Manilow's recording begins and ends with an excerpt of Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
's Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28, Number 20. The whole song is based on the harmonic scheme of Chopin's prelude. The "sweet Melissa" is a nod to singer Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Beginning in the 1970s, she has recorded generally in the adult contemporary genre. She has also appeared as an actress on television, in films, and on stage....
.
The song has been covered by a number of other artists over the years, most successfully by Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
in 1976 and UK boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
in the early 1990s. Manilow himself re-recorded an up-tempo version of the song in 1993, using the original orchestration of brass and strings combined with new drums, bass and synthesizers, and included it on the album Greatest Hits: The Platinum Collection. An extended remix of the 1993 version was issued as a promotional 12" single.
Charts
| Chart (1975) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Singles Chart | 24 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 18 |
| UK Singles Chart | 25 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
| U.S. Adult Contemporary | 1 |
Donna Summer version
Just one year after Manilow's original version was released as a single Donna SummerDonna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
recorded a disco version of the track and included it on her second international album, Love Trilogy
Love Trilogy
A Love Trilogy is the third album by Donna Summer. It was released on March 5th, 1976, just eight months after her international breakthrough with the single and album of the same name - "Love To Love You Baby". The boldly sexual nature of that particular song had earned Summer the title "The first...
, and took it to number three on the US Dance chart in 1976. The song also entered the UK single chart where it stayed for seven weeks (peak point #40)
Track listing
U.S. 7" single (Oasis OC 405) / Canada 7" single (Oasis OC 405X)- "Could It Be Magic" (3:15)
- "Whispering Waves" (4:50)
U.K. 7" single (GTO GT 60)
- "Could It Be Magic" (3:15)
- "Whispering Waves" (?)
Germany 7" single (Atlantic ATL 10 775)
- "Could It Be Magic" (5:20)
- "Come With Me" (4:20)
Netherlands 7" single (Groovy GR 1219)
- "Could It Be Magic" (3:15)
- "Whispering Waves" (4:50)
France 7" single (Atlantic 10.770)
- "Could It Be Magic" (4:13)
- "Whispering Waves" (4:15)
Italy 7" single (Durium DE 2873)
- "Could It Be Magic" (3:15)
- "Whispering Waves" (3:35)
Charts
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Austrian Singles Chart | 14 |
| Dutch GfK GfK The GfK Group, established in 1934 as Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung is Germany's largest market research institute, and the fourth largest market research organisation in the world, after Nielsen Company, Kantar Group, and IMS Health... chart |
5 |
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
2 |
| German Singles Chart | 23 |
| UK Singles Chart | 40 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles | 21 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 52 |
Take That version
Produced and remixRemix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed by The Rapino Brothers
Rapino brothers
The Rapino Brothers are record producers Charlie Mallozzi and Marco Sabiu known for their work during the 1990s with artists like Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Paola e Chiara, Valerio Scanu and Primal Scream.-History:...
, UK boyband Take That
Take That
Take That are a British five-piece vocal pop group comprising Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams. Barlow acts as the lead singer and primary songwriter...
released their cover version, based on Donna Summer/Giorgio Moroder
Giorgio Moroder
Hansjörg "Giorgio" Moroder is an Italian record producer, songwriter and performer based in Los Angeles. When in Munich in the 1970s, he started his own record label called Oasis Records, which several years later became a subdivision of Casablanca Records...
's up-tempo arrangement of the track, on November 30, 1992 as the final single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from their debut album Take That & Party
Take That and Party
Take That & Party was the debut album from British boyband Take That. It reached #2 in the UK album chart and stayed in the UK Top 75 album chart for 73 weeks...
. The song does not appear on the cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
version of the album. It peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
The song won Best British Single at the 1993 Brit Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
.
During The Ultimate Tour in 2006, former member Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
appeared on a hologram with a pre-recorded section of his vocals.Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is an English singer-songwriter, pianist and record producer. He is frontman and lead vocalist of pop group Take That and is currently the head judge on the eighth series of The X Factor. Barlow is one of Britain's most successful songwriters...
sings lead vocals since Take That's reformation.
The song has received a Silver sales status certification and sold over 325,000 copies sold in the UK.
Music video
The music video shows a young woman leaving a garage before the lights are turned back on and Take That perform the song with many other dancers.Track listings
UK 12" Vinyl (74321 12313 1)(Limited Edition w/ poster sleeve)- Deep In Rapino's Club Mix - 5:56
- Take That Club Megamix - 7:03
- Mr. F. Mix - 6:18
UK 7" Vinyl (74321 12313 7)
- Rapino Radio Mix - 3:30
- Take That Radio Megamix - 4:38
UK Cassette (74321 12313 4)
- Rapino Radio Mix - 3:30
- Take That Radio Megamix - 4:38
UK CD Single (74321 12313 2)
- Rapino Radio Mix - 3:30
- Deep In Rapino's Club Mix - 5:56
- Acapella - 3:12
- Ciao Baby Mix - 7:19
- Rapino Dub - 3:44
- Paparazzo Mix - 5:27
- Deep In Rapino's Dub - 5:57
- Club Rapino Mix - 3:43
EU CD Single (74321 12735 2)
- Rapino Radio Mix - 3:30
- Deep In Rapino's Club Mix - 5:56
- Ciao Baby Mix - 7:19
- Paparazzo Mix - 5:27
Japanese CD Single (TAKE8)
- Rapino Radio Mix - 3:30
- Take That Radio Megamix - 4:38
Charts
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
3 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
3 |
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart | 30 |
| French SNEP Singles Chart | 42 |
| German Singles Chart | 37 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 30 |
| End of year chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
37 |
Certifications
| Country | Certification | Date | Sales certified |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Silver | 1 January 1993 | 200,000 |
Abigail version
This single was only available as a 12" Single12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
. The B-side, "This Is A Dream" is a high upbeat dance music with the lyrics "This Is A Dream" will appear every so often in the song.
Other notable versions
- A jazz version of the tune was arranged into a trio setting by Filipino pianist/arranger Bobby EnriquezBobby EnriquezRoberto Delprado Yulo Enriquez , better known as Bobby Enriquez, was a Filipino jazz pianist who became prominent in the United States and well-known internationally.New York Times critic John S. Wilson wrote:Mr...
, then performed during a summer tour of Japan in 1982. A recording of the piece is on the album, "Bobby Enriquez: Live! In Tokyo." GNP Crescendo GNPD-2161
- A houseHouse musicHouse music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
remix of the song appears as the penultimate track on Hed KandiHed KandiHed Kandi is an UK-based record label and a music brand which was established in 1999 by Mark Doyle, specialising in funky, soulful house music. Hed Kandi's catalogue includes both artist albums and various genres of club compilations. As well as producing music albums and compilations, Hed Kandi...
: Disco Heaven 01.05, credited to "Andrea T. Mendoza & Tibet feat. Ife Corcoran".
- In 1993 British top-producer Trevor HornTrevor HornTrevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
remixed the song with Barry Manilow, who re-recorded his vocals. The release was only available on promo-12" ARISTA-COULD1993
- The song was recorded in Dutch by the singer Rob de NijsRob de NijsRob de Nijs is a Dutch singer and actor, active since the 1960s.-1962-68:De Nijs, backed by The Lords, released his first single in 1962, Ritme van de Regen. In 1966 he embarked on a joint circus-tour with Johnny Lion...
, called Ontmoeting. Text was written by his former wife Belinda Meulendijk, and was released as a single in 1986. Taken from the album Vrije val.
- The Dutch group LuciferLuciferTraditionally, Lucifer is a name that in English generally refers to the devil or Satan before being cast from Heaven, although this is not the original meaning of the term. In Latin, from which the English word is derived, Lucifer means "light-bearer"...
also recorded the track in 1975, even before Donna Summer recorded hers. This version doesn't contain the Chopin-preludium, but has a falset-ladyvoice from Margriet Eshuys and mandolines instead.
- It was covered by The Puppini SistersThe Puppini SistersThe Puppini Sisters are a vocal trio. Arion Berger described them as part of "Retro's futuristic vanguard" and described their sound as "swing-punk". The group has sought to be associated with a burlesque revival....
on their album The Rise and Fall of Ruby Woo.
- French singer Alain ChamfortAlain ChamfortAlain Chamfort, born Alain Le Govic, is a French singer of Breton origin, born on 2 March 1949 in Paris.He was a promising pianist in his youth, and the piano became his instrument of choice...
released a French language version of the song under the title "le temps qui court" in 1975.
- Chamfort's version was later covered by Boy band AlliageAlliage (boy band)-History:Alliage was assembled during the 1990s boy band craze. The musical group was met with the most commercial success in France alongside fellow boy acts like Worlds Apart, 2Be3 and G-Squad. The band included four young men; Steven Gunnell, Roman Lata Ares, Brian Torres and lead singer...
in 1997. Their version peaked at number 13 in France and number 32 in Belgium (Wallonia). This version was covered by Les EnfoirésLes EnfoirésLes Enfoirés , is the name given to the singers and performers in the yearly charity concert for the Restaurants du Cœur .-History:...
in 2006, reaching number four in France, number two in Belgium (Wallonia) and number 19 in Switzerland.
- In 2007, Lazlo BaneLazlo BaneLazlo Bane is an alternative rock band hailing from Santa Monica, California, United States. They are well known for collaborating with former Men at Work member Colin Hay, and providing the song "Superman" as the theme for the television show Scrubs...
covered the song on their Guilty PleasuresGuilty Pleasures (Lazlo Bane album)Guilty Pleasures is a 2007 album by the band Lazlo Bane, consisting entirely of cover versions of various hits from the 1970s.The titles of several songs were changed. The first song, listed as "Get Right Back", is actually titled "Right Back Where We Started From". The fifth song, listed as "Lime...
album.
- Donald Braswell IIDonald Braswell IIDonald Braswell II is an American actor, classical crossover tenor and composer. Braswell was on a fast track to become an internationally acclaimed opera singer when he suffered a car accident in 1995 that made him unable to speak for almost two years...
recorded this song on his 2007 album New ChapterNew ChapterNew Chapter is the first studio album from American actor, composer and tenor Donald Braswell II, who has entertained audiences both internationally as well as shore to shore in the United States in concerts, television appearances, inspirational speaking and radio. He was also a finalist in the...
.
- Leona LewisLeona LewisLeona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
performed this song on the third series of The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
, which she eventually won.
- Regine VelasquezRegine VelasquezRegina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez , better known as Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez, is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer and TV host...
performed the song and released it in a live recorded album, Regine Live: Songbird Sings the ClassicsRegine Live: Songbird Sings the Classics1 2 3 -Musicians:...
.
- Joe McElderryJoe McElderryJoseph "Joe" McElderry is an English singer and model. He won the sixth series of the ITV show The X Factor in 2009. His first single "The Climb" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and Irish Singles Charts. He was also crowned the winner of the second series of Popstar to Operastar, two...
performed the song on the sixth series of The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
, which he eventually won.
- Mary ByrneMary Byrne (singer)For other people named Mary Byrne, see Mary Byrne .Mary Byrne is an Irish singer-songwriter from Ballyfermot, Dublin. She rose to fame in 2010 after becoming a finalist on the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010. Following her elimination in the live semi-final, she signed a record deal with...
performed this song on the 7th series of The X FactorThe X Factor (UK)The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
.
- The ShirellesThe ShirellesThe Shirelles were an African-American girl group that achieved popularity in the early 1960s. They consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens , Doris Coley , Addie "Micki" Harris , and Beverly Lee...
also recorded a version that was released on a bootleg album in the late 1970s.